Sota Cosmos
I bought a second hand Cosmos with the Fountainhead plinth (series 1) and an SME V. I ask owners out there of older Nova's or Cosmo's, if they are satisfied with the original configuration or did they upgrade? The upgrade option at Sota to an Eclipse configuration is 5k to 6k (I think), which is much cheaper than buying new, but it's still a lot of money that could buy other brands. I am at a crossroads of sort.
I have other tables but I haven't compared them yet, so maybe you've owned these and have compared:
Nottingham Interspace w/ Heavy Kit
JVC-QL-10
Technics SP10mk2
Thorens TD-124mk1
Dual 721
I only list these because in the near future I am going to have to pair down to two ir just one, hence the Cosmos question
Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
@mulveling Thank you for the compare, very helpful! There is a video showing the subchassis of the new Cosmos and it resmebles the plinth of the Millennia. It is a honeycomb-like aluminum plate. Looks quite substantial, far more so than the Nova subchassis. I wonder if anyone would comment of the Millennia, it is a table that is rarely discussed, despite it being the TOTL in the SOTA universe. I hope it is appropriate to bring up the Millennia as the OP is on the Cosmos. |
A buddy had an older Sota Nova he had upgraded to the Nova VI specs (w/vacuum). I had some extended listening of it at his place (identical electronics and Koetsu Onyx) and was hooked...so I bought a new Cosmos (w/vacuum) and a nice Origin Live arm last year. Extremely happy with this setup. Recently, same said bud decided to upgrade his Nova to Cosmos sub-chassis...not easy (plinth mods) nor cheap, but he said the improvment in detail, low end, and dynamics is fantastic. As an aside, his table body is a beautiful cocobolo; I'm going to build him a new motor cover (to replace the now plugged acrylic(?) thing...wood tbd. I did get to hear the new TOTL Sota Onyx (belt drive) table ($28K) at Capital Audio Fest last fall with an Origin Live arm and Hana Umami Black cartridge...sounded real nice in that system. Sota rep mentioned the new Direct Drive variant coming, as well. Both non-suspended, but will apparently have the MinusK platform as an option... |
@ledoux1238 , I believe if the Nova was brought up to a certain series (5/6/7?), including the maglev platter, eclipse, etc. and the aluminum sub-chassis were implemented, it would be there at Cosmos level. (Someone with more background on that, please chime in if I'm off there.) As I mentioned, there was some mods to the body parts necessary to accommodate the upgraded sub-chassis. I'm sure total cost is based on state of the Nova. I believe the Onyx is an upgraded Millenia. It had a substantial motor with dual belts, large (upgraded) platter, multi-tonearm capability, the same controller assembly and vacuum as the latest Cosmos. Essentially twice the price as a Cosmos w/vacuum. (no dustcover, but Ken said they could make one, I think.) |
That's two endorsements for an Origin tonearm. I have a MK4 Silver. Would upgrading to an Encounter be a good pairing with my Cosmos? I'll have to order a new arm board. Any noticeable differences from the SME V?
That is a beautiful finish and you're a good friend. Are the wood plinths hardwood sides and a veneered top? When I get some access to a shop, I'd like to replicate my plinth in a California Walnut, Sapele, or Rosewood (Santos)
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